Arnold, Dorothy McSparran, 1896-1971

Dorothy McSparran Arnold received a B.A. from Cornell University in 1918. She was a professor and administrator at Washington Square College for 43 years. Arriving in 1924 as a young instructor in the English department, Arnold found a ten-year old college with a strong commitment to women's undergraduate education. A year after her arrival she became involved in the development of students' social and moral character. She went into student affairs. During the 1925-26 school year, Arnold began her work as a counselor and administrator for women students at Washington Square College. She was named chairman of the faculty committee on women's interests and, as the catalog for that year states, "Matters affecting the interests of girls in the college should be referred to Mrs. Arnold." Her activities ranged over all aspects of student life. The next year she became the official Advisor to Women. In December of 1928, the Council appointed her Assistant Dean, recognizing her as an administrator. She received her academic promotion to Assistant Professor in 1926. She continued as an Assistant Dean until November of 1948, when she became Dean of Women. She reported directly to the Dean of Washington Square College and oversaw women students' physical, social and moral well-being. She served as Dean until her retirement in 1961. As Advisor and Dean, Mrs. Arnold was concerned with promoting the welfare of women students. She worked with students, providing continuity, structure and development of new programs for women. In addition to extensive personal counseling, she served as advisor to most of the campus' women's organizations. Her office organized or coordinated many activities of the League of Women, women's honorary and social societies and women's athletics. She also helped to develop a peer counseling program to aid freshwomen and transfer students' adjustment to college life. The Junior Advisors Committee, under her direction, was an important resource for newcomers and a place to recognize outstanding junior women. The League of Women, the Eclectic honorary society and Pan-Hellenic Council were other vehicles for recognizing and developing women student leaders. As an administrator Dorothy Arnold worked for women students, providing representation on college committees directly concerned with student issues. She was a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee for Women's Athletics, Faculty Committee on fraternities and sororities connected with the Student Committee on Educational Policy, various scholarship committees and the committee on faculty-student advising. She was also an advisor on disciplinary, and financial aid matters. As a Dean she participated on college and university governance committees, the Cabinet of the College, Advisement Council, and the Council of Deans. Dean Dorothy McSparran Arnold died on November 22, 1971.